Groupon Guide

A petting zoo can be the first time youngsters come close to animals they’ve only met in books, on TV, or in plush form. To find out how to approach the experience with little ones, we picked the brain of Stephanie Polson—farmyard manager at Lambs Farm in Libertyville, Illinois—who oversees pigs, ducks, and many other barnyard buddies. Once you know the do’s and don’ts of petting zoos, you can focus on the fun part: getting hypnotized by a goat. Here’s your cheat sheet.Pack your bag properly.Be sure you’ve got sunscreen, umbrellas, sunglasses, and extra layers. According to Stephanie, “Many zoos are outdoors and exposed to the elements, and sometimes the weatherman's prediction isn't quite right.” One can’t-miss item? “Extra shoes!” Stephanie says. “It's impossible to keep petting pens, where you can walk inside with the animals, completely free of poop.”Put yourself in your kid's shoes.Many a parent has taken their child to a petting zoo only to wonder why he or she is suddenly acting shy. Some animals’ sheer sizes—think horses and cows—startle and intimidate even adults, so it’s good to consider how large they must appear to little ones. Stephanie also points out that they look weird. “Sheep and goats have irises that are oval in shape. Some people find this characteristic very unnerving the first time they see it.”Don’t sneak up on the animals.Formal introductions and small talk about the weather aren’t necessary, but when you first meet an animal, approach it on its terms. “Make sure an animal sees and hears you before you touch it,” Stephanie advises. “They can get startled.” And if you spot an animal snoozing, leave it be. “They might be in a deep sleep and awaken very startled, and unintentionally cause harm by trying to get up and move away quickly,” she says. Just chill.Animals, like people, respond best to a calm and gentle demeanor, so it’s important to discourage kids from yelling and running around them. Too much excitement means critters will give kids a wide berth, and if an animal does begin to move away, never chase it. And no matter how sweet or gentle an animal seems, you should never give it kisses or hugs or try to pick it up.Make with the shoulder rubs.You might become a regular Dr. Dolittle with this secret trick. “The vast majority [of animals] like shoulder scratches,” Stephanie says. “That's a tough spot for [them].” Bonus tip: most animals don’t like being touched on their faces.Be mindful of body language.“Pay attention to an animal's eyes, ears, and hair,” Stephanie says. “When an animal pins its ears back against its head, it's best to move away. In addition, the hair along a goat's back and neck will stand straight up, just like a cat, when it is upset. Sheep will back up and paw at the ground.”Put the kids to work (with interactive farm lessons).Most zoos have more hands-on learning opportunities. At Lambs Farm, staff members allow visitors to watch sheep getting shorn and horses getting shoed, as well as brush the dust and hay from the sheep and goats.Don’t feed the animals just anything.
Some zoos offer animal food for purchase or for free, whereas others give specific guidelines on what’s appropriate to bring for the animals. “All animals in zoos are on special diets,” Stephanie stresses. If you do happen to give an animal something it shouldn’t eat, no matter how small or harmless you might think it is, let the staff know. No animals—even goats—eat rocks or garbage, so keep both out of their pens. Remember: everybody poops.One last piece of advice from the expert: “Parents should let their children know that there will be new sights, smells, and sounds when they go to the zoo. Animals perform the same bodily functions as people, just not behind closed doors!”Photos: Andrew Nawrocki, Groupon.

You’ve got your DSLR, your lenses, and your memory cards ready to go, but you can only take so many pictures of your neighbor’s dog. If you’re passionate about animal photos and ready to give your camera a new challenge, the best place to start is the zoo. Only one question remains: which zoo? We’ve compiled a list of America’s best zoos for animal photography—places where you can capture stunning images of wildlife without shelling out the cash for a real safari. And with zoos putting more effort into conservation efforts and creating engaging environments for the animals, these are photos you can feel good about sharing.San Diego Zoo | San Diego, CAWhere to Get the Best Photos: The Giant Panda viewing area. When to Go: Head out early in the morning on a weekday to avoid the long line of admirers the pandas regularly attract. If you end up having to wait, you can always pull up the Panda Cam on a smartphone. What to Expect: The San Diego Zoo’s giant pandas aren’t just adorable—they’re also exceedingly rare. On loan from China, the three pandas can often be spotted playing on the climbing structures in their air-conditioned habitat. Photos to Shoot For: Since the pandas are such a big draw, it’s worth paying the extra $89 for an early-morning tour that takes place before the zoo opens to the public. Here, you’ll be able to capture shots of the cuddly creatures enjoying a breakfast of bamboo.Philadelphia Zoo | Philadelphia, PA
Where to Get the Best Photos: Inside the Channel 6 Zooballoon, which rises to heights of 400 feet above the animal enclosures. When to Go: Plan a trip in autumn, when a balloon flight will give you a bird’s-eye view of the area’s vibrant fall foliage. What to Expect: From the basket of the massive Zooballoon, you’ll be able to see directly into the habitats of polar bears, zebras, and giraffes. Photos to Shoot For: Though you might be able to get some fun overhead shots of the animals below, what you’ll really want to capture are the stunning views of Fairmount Park and Center City.Disney’s Animal Kingdom | Orlando, FLWhere to Get the Best Photos: Kilimanjaro Safaris, America’s closest thing to a real African savanna. When to Go: Go on a hot summer’s day for the true safari experience. To make a trip of it, book a stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge through Groupon Getaways. What to Expect: Visitors can board an open-air jeep and ride through various animal habitats without a cage or fence in sight. Photos to Shoot For: The open design of the park means that you’ll need some luck (and a quality zoom lens) to spot every animal. Keep an eye out for the elusive cheetahs as well as the herds of zebras that often graze right beside the road.Cheyenne Mountain Zoo | Colorado Springs, COWhere to Get the Best Photos: The African Rift Valley giraffe exhibit. When to Go: The giraffes only appear outside when the ground is dry and temperatures are above 40 degrees, so avoid cold and rainy weather. What to Expect: A viewing balcony sits around the same height as the giraffes, and short fences allow for more natural shots. Photos to Shoot For: A cheek-to-cheek selfie might be possible during feeding sessions, but for a more dramatic shot, go in the morning or evening and catch the giraffes’ daily stampede to or from the grazing grounds.
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay | Las Vegas, NVWhere to Get the Best Photos: Inside the shark tank. When to Go: There’s no off-season in Las Vegas, and the desert climate means temperatures stay relatively stable throughout the year. The only way to avoid some extra competition is to skip holiday weekends, when crowds may be slightly larger. What to Expect: The Dive with Sharks Scuba Program is a one-of-a-kind experience, but it’ll cost a pretty penny ($650) and is only open to certified divers. The tank is home to more than 30 sharks, including sand tigers and whitetip reef sharks. No cages are necessary, as the animals are always fed before receiving visitors. Photos to Shoot For: As outside equipment runs the risk of introducing diseases to the tank, the aquarium has a professional photographer on staff to take underwater pics. All you’ll need to worry about is which shark to high-five first.Bronx Zoo | New York, NYWhere to Get the Best Photos: The Sea Lion Pool, located right at the center of the park. When to Go: The sea lions may be trying to put on some winter weight in the fall, increasing the chance of catching them during feeding time. What to Expect: Sea lions have been starred residents of the zoo since 1899, but their habitat has changed significantly, allowing plenty of space for them to jump and play. Photos to Shoot For: The sea lions happily swallow herring and other fish whole, so make sure to bring a zoom lens during feeding time.Brookfield Zoo | Brookfield, ILWhere to Get the Best Photos: Tropic World, where primates rule. When to Go: Go during the winter months, when the simulated tropical environments will be most appreciated. What to Expect: The massive structure houses primates, birds, and other wildlife native to the tropical rainforests of South America, Asia, and Africa. Suspension bridges grant views into realistic-looking canyons, while colobus monkeys and gibbons make mischief overhead. Photos to Shoot For: The main draw here is the zoo’s band of western lowland gorillas. Rarely seen in the wild, these massive creatures can be photographed eating, sleeping, and (if you’re lucky) even playing together.Photos: Panda courtesy of San Diego Zoo. Zooballoon of Philadelphia Zoo. Zebra on Kilimanjaro Safari - Animal Kingdom - Walt Disney World by JeffChristiansen under CC BY 2.0. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo courtesy of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Shark reef courtesy of Mandalay Bay. Bronx Zoo by Julie Larsen Maher, Wildlife Conservation Society. Brookfield Zoo Tropic World courtesy of Brookfield Zoo.